Mathis: Will Abbott's Constitutional convention plan succeed?

Mike Mathis

While I agree with the Amarillo Globe-News editorial (Editorial: Abbott makes the right call, Jan. 11, amarillo.com), I would like to point out that Abbott’s plan is not calling for a “constitutional convention.”

Abbott is calling for an Article V Convention of States (or COS).

A constitutional convention would be a complete rewrite of our Constitution, which is not provided for in the original Constitution. The COS is a method which allows the states to amend the Constitution without the approval of Congress.

See Abbott’s news release and detailed paper “Restoring the Rule of Law” at gov.texas.gov. Get the details about a COS from “The Liberty Amendments,” by Mark R. Levin.

Texas cannot do this alone. We will have to work in unity with a super majority of the states. I have been following a nationwide COS Project at conventionofstates.com, which is addressing this issue. It is gaining momentum, but is not being reported by the media. I would encourage every Texan — actually every American — who is concerned about the future of our country to take a look at these resources.

How can you and I participate in the process?

Several months ago I emailed all five of my legislators (federal and state) to see where they stand on the current COS movement. U.S. Sens. (Ted) Cruz and (John) Cornyn did not reply. U.S. Rep. (Mac) Thornberry, R-Clarendon, said our Constitution has served us well, and needs no change (to paraphrase).

State Rep. (Four) Price, R-Amarillo, did not reply. State Sen. Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo, said he would look into it, and later at a town hall meeting said that the COS is such a “long shot,” why should we bother? (again, to paraphrase)

Although our federal legislators would not directly determine whether a COS succeeds or fails, they could certainly support or oppose the process. Our state legislators are the ones who will decide whether Abbott’s plan passes. Primary elections are coming up March 1. Maybe this letter will prompt the candidates to let us know where they stand on Abbott’s plan, so that we can vote accordingly.

Calling a COS requires two-thirds (34) of the states to pass legislative approval. Several attempts have been made in the past, but have never come up with the required majority.

What would be different this time? Maybe grass roots America is more outraged with Washington. Communication and organizational skills are better than before. Yes, it’s a “long shot,” but does that mean we shouldn’t try? It may be the best chance we ever have to restore the rule of law. We may send excellent people to Washington, but Congress will never legislate term limits or a balanced budget on their own. After all, many want to be career politicians, and their job is to spend our money. For the long term we need constitutional amendments.

Some of Abbott’s amendments might be overly ambitious, but I assume that a COS will draft one or more that a majority of the states can agree to, such as a balanced budget and term limits.

Just as a note, a friend of mine proposed this amendment — require Congress live by the same laws that they pass for us.

Mike Mathis is a retired computer consultant who lives in Borger. He was formerly employed locally by J.M. Huber Corp.